Stratigraphy of Palaeocene phosphate pelagic stromatolites (Prebetic Zone, SE Spain)

Chacón, B.; Martı́n-Chivelet, Javier

doi:10.1007/s10347-008-0136-6

Cited by 7 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 22 publications

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“…Some phosphatized globular structures in Neoproterozoic phosphorites may represent Thiomargarita-like bacteria that were preserved in sediments where apatite was actively precipitating from the massive release of phosphate into sediment pore waters (Bailey et al, 2007). Phosphatic stromatolites could also potentially be the product of phosphogenesis driven by chemotroph polyphosphate metabolism (Krajewski et al, 2000;Chacó n and Martín-Chivelet, 2008). While Thiomargarita is currently the only sulfideoxidizing bacterium that has been studied with respect to phosphogenesis, recent whole-genome sequencing has revealed the genes necessary for polyphosphate metabolism in Beggiatoa (Mußmann et al, 2007).…”

Section: Preservation In Phosphoritesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemotrophic Microbial Mats and Their Potential for Preservation in the Rock Record

et al. 2009

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Putative microbialites are commonly regarded to have formed in association with photosynthetic microorganisms, such as cyanobacteria. However, many modern microbial mat ecosystems are dominated by chemotrophic bacteria and archaea. Like phototrophs, filamentous sulfur-oxidizing bacteria form large mats at the sediment= water interface that can act to stabilize sediments, and their metabolic activities may mediate the formation of marine phosphorites. Similarly, bacteria and archaea associated with the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) catalyze the precipitation of seafloor authigenic carbonates. When preserved, lipid biomarkers, isotopic signatures, body fossils, and lithological indicators of the local depositional environment may be used to identify chemotrophic mats in the rock record. The recognition of chemotrophic communities in the rock record has the potential to transform our understanding of ancient microbial ecologies, evolution, and geochemical conditions. Chemotrophic microbes on Earth occupy naturally occurring interfaces between oxidized and reduced chemical species and thus may provide a new set of search criteria to target life-detection efforts on other planets.

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